# What kind of dye do they use in black soap bars ?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dye-do-they-use-in-black-soap-bars/446984>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 26, 2008, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dye-do-they-use-in-black-soap-bars/446984 "2008-04-26T19:06:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2008, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dye-do-they-use-in-black-soap-bars/446984/1 "2008-04-26T19:06:57Z")

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Some soap bars are pink, some are green, some are jet black. What makes them black and why doesn’t it mark your skin ?

(Or my white skin anyway 🙂 )

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**Author:** ![lexi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lexi/32/6806_2.png) [@lexi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lexi)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dye-do-they-use-in-black-soap-bars/446984/2 "2008-04-27T01:52:06Z")

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I thought it was natural - Black Coal tar soap is black from the coal tar and charcoal.

> **[Amazon.com : Soap Works - Soothing, Old Fashioned Recipe Bar Soap for Dry and...](https://www.amazon.com/Soap-Works-Soothing-Fashioned-Recipe/dp/B0002DTUME)**
>
> Amazon.com : Soap Works - Soothing, Old Fashioned Recipe Bar Soap for Dry and Itchy Skin - Coal Tar : Bath Soaps : Beauty & Personal Care